Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Staff Sgt. Odell Straughter III, a weapons director assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Randy Bowser, an interface control technician assigned to the 71 EACS, set up and maintain a tactical data link Dec. 30, 2008, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The weapons director can, when directed, coordinate assets and battle management for the Central Command area of responsibility. Sergeant Straughter III hails from Saint Louis, Mo., and Sergeant Bowser is a native of New Britian, Conn. The 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron is deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette)

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Tech. Sgt. Andrew Ferguson tightens a connection while Senior Airman Craig Stawicki holds the top in place Dec. 30, 2008, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The maintainers, Electrical Power Plant Production technicians assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, are responsible for servicing the generators that keep the 71 EACS radars up and running. Sergeant Ferguson is a native of Colt, Ark., and Airman Stawicki hails from Brick, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette)

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Airman 1st Class William Lundy, a radar maintenance technician assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, adjusts the receiver assembly, Dec. 30, 2008, at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia. The radar maintenance team assures that the radars remain in good working condition and calibration. The radars provide an extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region. They track every aircraft in the sky, with the detailed information; the 71 EACS team is able to distinguish the flight characteristics of any aircraft flying within range, which allows a determination if a plane is friendly or foe. Airman Lundy is a native of Clarksville, Tenn. The 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron is deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/Released)

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Airman 1st Class William Lundy, a radar maintenance technician assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, adjusts the receiver assembly here Tuesday. The radar maintenance team assures the radars remain in good working condition and calibration. The radars provide an extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region. They track every aircraft in the sky, with the detailed information; the 71 EACS team is able to distinguish the flight characteristics of any aircraft flying within range, which allows a determination if a plane is friendly or foe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette)

Keeping eyes on the skies above AOR

Published Jan. 3, 2009
By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Southwest Asia -- Observing the skies over the Gulf region requires diligence, but the payoff is peace of mind for the U.S. and Coalition Forces operating in Southwest Asia. One shop's New Year's resolution is to ensure it stays that way.

By providing an extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region, the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron is able to identify anyone and anything flying in their area of operations.

"We provide persistent, long-range radar detection in the Arabian Gulf, which consists of a 350,000 square nautical mile area," said Capt. Frank Dibonaventuro, 71 EACS air surveillance officer, a native of Green Lane, Pa. "Without our long-range capability we could have an aircraft high-jacking similar to (Sept. 11, 2001). We track every aircraft in the sky - friendly and foe."

Through their Control and Reporting Center - two operator modules working around the clock - the 71 EACS provides the Combined Air and Space Operations Center with real-time, detailed data of anything happening in the sky. The 71 EACS may track as many as 1,000 different aircraft in a day.

"All of our generated data paints a detailed picture for the CAOC, which is also used in their (situational report)," said Airman 1st Class Erik Padgett, 71 EACS surveillance technician, a native of Jasper, Texas. "It's my job to compile all of the data."

Through a data link connecting the CAOC and radar facilities, the 71 EACS is able to instantaneously provide senior leaders with the vital information.

"With the air picture we provide, the leaders at the CAOC can make the best decision possible with the data at hand," said Staff Sgt. Randy Bowser, 71 EACS interface control technician a native of New Britain, Conn.

The squadron's long range detection also acts as an early warning system and together with the Army's 2-43 Air Defense Artillery provides unparalleled detection and threat elimination capabilities for the base, said Maj. Rob Peacock, 71 EACS commander.

"With our detailed information we are able to distinguish the flight characteristics of any aircraft flying within our range, which allows us to determine if a plane is friendly or foe," said the Dallas native. "If we detect something that doesn't make sense then we can coordinate with the Patriots and pass that data and information to them. We can also coordinate with the CAOC and make sure they're aware of what's going on.

"I would say the enemy would feel a little intimidated to try anything with our capabilities in this region," he said.

Adding to the intimidation factor, the 71 EACS will soon transition into a new, stat-of-the-art facility that will increase the squadron abilities.

"We will be moving into a new $30 million facility called the Battlefield Command and Control Center, which will further enhance our capabilities by allowing us to use more operators to control the airspace," Major Peacock said. "In the future, BC3 will also allow us to take on an expanded mission set.

"If we had to, we will even be able to control radar operations in multiple theaters at once," he said.

The detection capabilities of today's military partly came to fruition by learning from past tragedies, Major Peacock said.

"The attack on Pearl Harbor was so successful for the Japanese because of the failure of the air defense system to recognize adversary aircraft and the lack of necessary procedures to know how to react," he said. "That's the kind of capability we provide now to prevent that from ever happening again."

Having the right equipment is essential, but it's the Airmen in this squadron who make the mission successful, Major Peacock said.

"To say they have warrior ethos is spot on," he said. "We have folks with tremendous attitudes and they recognize the value of what they are doing. That sense of pride in their mission translates very easily into the effort they are putting forth to increase mission efficiency."